Multi-head array fire sprinkler system for storage applications

Abstract

A fire suppression system in which the water supply line is fitted with repeating arrays or groups of sprinkler heads. Each array is composed of at least two side-discharge sprinklers. The side-discharge sprinklers in each array are aimed so that their coverage areas point in opposite directions. Each side-discharge sprinkler includes a lateral heat shield. The lateral heat shield has a concave heat-concentering side that focuses radiant heat toward the sprinkler's trigger, and a convex heat-scattering side that disperses radiant heat away from the trigger. In some embodiments, the array can include one or more vertical-discharge sprinklers. The vertical-discharge sprinkler may include a heat collector to facilitate early activation of its trigger. The fire suppression system is advantageous in high-challenge applications like facilities where large quantities of combustible items are stored in close proximity, such as in warehouses and attics.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for protecting a storage area with multiple orientations of fire sprinklers, said method comprising the steps of:
 identifying elongated narrow flue formations within the storage area through which hot combustion gases will be naturally channeled in the event of fire, the flues being arranged parallel to one another within the storage area, 
 suspending at least one water supply line in the storage area, 
 fluidically connecting a left side-discharge fire sprinkler to the at least one supply line, the left side-discharge fire sprinkler being configured to cast a spray of liquid water exclusively over a non-circular left-side coverage area located substantially laterally to a left side of the side-discharge fire sprinkler, the non-circular left-side coverage area being defined by a major diameter (L 2 ) and a shorter minor diameter (W 2 ), positioning the left side-discharge fire sprinkler so that the major diameter (L 2 ) of its noncircular left-side coverage area is parallel to and overlaps at least one flue, 
 further including the step of fluidically connecting a right side-discharge fire sprinkler to the at least one supply line, the right side-discharge fire sprinkler being configured to cast a spray of liquid water exclusively over a non-circular right-side coverage area located substantially laterally to a right side of the right side-discharge fire sprinkler, the non-circular right side coverage area being defined by a major diameter (L 2 ) and a shorter minor diameter (W 2 ), positioning the right side-discharge fire sprinkler so that the major diameter (L 2 ) is parallel to and overlaps at least one flue, 
 fluidically connecting a vertical-discharge fire sprinkler to the at least one supply line, the vertical-discharge fire sprinkler being configured to cast a spray of liquid water exclusively over a vertical coverage area located substantially below the vertical-discharge fire sprinkler, 
 locating the vertical-discharge fire sprinkler adjacent the left side-discharge fire sprinkler so that the vertical coverage area overlaps the non-circular left-side coverage area, and wherein said locating step further includes locating the vertical-discharge fire sprinkler adjacent the right side-discharge fire sprinkler so that the vertical coverage area overlaps the non-circular right-side coverage area, 
 whereby when concurrently activated the left side-discharge fire sprinkler and right-side discharge fire sprinkler and vertical-discharge fire sprinkler will cast overlapping sprays of water to form a combined multi-orientation wetting zone. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the vertical coverage area is circular. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the vertical coverage area is non-circular. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein said arranging step includes axially aligning the right side-discharge fire sprinkler with the left side-discharge fire sprinkler. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein said arranging step includes axially offsetting the right side-discharge fire sprinkler with the left side-discharge fire sprinkler. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein said locating step includes axially offsetting the vertical-discharge fire sprinkler from at least one of the left side-discharge fire sprinkler and right-side discharge fire sprinkler. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  further including the step of concentrating heat from an underlying fire toward the vertical-discharge fire sprinkler. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7  wherein said step of concentrating heat includes converging the heat within a generally frusto-conical shroud. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1  further including the step of moving liquid water through a plurality of supply lines arranged parallel to one another.